Pupil Dynamics Assessment System for Situational Awareness Competency Estimation
Summary
USPTO granted patent US12599306B2 to Rockwell Collins, Inc. covering a computer-implemented system and method for assessing operator performance by analyzing eye tracking data correlated with physiological data including heart rate. The system evaluates whether operators exhibit anticipatory responses, differentiates cognitively-initiated behaviors from environmentally-triggered behaviors, and assesses situational awareness competency. The patent contains 16 claims.
What changed
USPTO granted patent US12599306B2 to Rockwell Collins, Inc. on April 14, 2026, covering systems and methods for assessing operator competency through pupil dynamics and physiological data analysis. The patent discloses a computer system that records eye tracking data, identifies gaze movements, correlates this with heart rate and other physiological measurements, and evaluates whether operators direct attention appropriately based on task requirements. The system examines anticipatory responses, differentiates cognitively-initiated versus environment-triggered behaviors, and assesses gaze follow-through to specific instruments.
For companies developing eye-tracking operator monitoring systems, pilot assessment tools, or human factors evaluation software, this patent establishes intellectual property claims that may require licensing or design-around considerations. The patent's broad CPC classifications spanning medical monitoring (A61B), computer vision (G06V), and aerospace safety systems (B64D) suggest potential applications across aviation, defense, automotive, and healthcare simulation industries.
What to do next
- Monitor patent portfolio for potential infringement by competing eye-tracking and physiological monitoring systems
- Review patent claims for licensing opportunities if developing similar operator monitoring technology
Archived snapshot
Apr 14, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Pupil dynamics, physiology, and performance for estimating competency in situational awareness
Grant US12599306B2 Kind: B2 Apr 14, 2026
Assignee
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Inventors
Peggy Wu, Brigid A. Blakeslee, Andrew Radlbeck, Ganesh Sundaramoorthi
Abstract
A computer system records eye tracking data and identifies movements in the eye tracking data to determine gaze and pupil dynamics. Eye tracking data is correlated with physiological data including heart rate. The system looks at the heart rate of the operator in real time to evaluate whether they exhibit an anticipatory response to switch attention. The system differentiates between behaviors that are cognitively initiated as opposed to triggered by the environment. The system correlates eye tracking data and physiological data with previously identified knowledge about the training scenario to assess whether the operator is able to direct attention to the right stimuli based on task needs. The system examines whether there is follow through behavior of shifting gaze to specific instruments as defined by the current task.
CPC Classifications
A61B 5/0205 A61B 5/024 A61B 5/16 A61B 5/163 A61B 5/165 G06V 20/44 G06V 40/18 G06V 10/82 B64D 45/0053 B64D 45/0056 G06F 3/013
Filing Date
2023-06-30
Application No.
18216825
Claims
16
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Source
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